Self-service bowling alley



l lr/l'TNEss Feb. 28,1933. H. K. Hass 1,899,441'

` SELF sEnvIcE BOWLING ALLEY Filed oct. 2o, 1930 2 sheets-sheet 1 Feb. 2s, 1933. H, K. Hass 1,899,441 L I SELF SERVICE BOWLING ALLEY Filed Oct. 20, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 nanny icflinnss, -ortwoifico'r'r, 'NEW YORK i i SELF-'SERVICE Bow-LING ALLEY i Appneauo'n med' october 20,1-1930. serial no. Bassa.

rlrhis inventionflrelates' tov-af self-service bowling alley involving the usev of an.outgo.

A ing runway along which :the balls maybel rolled by hand fromy one end Lto the other in the usual manner, and an underlyingreturn runway along which theballs are fautomati-V cally returnedto a suitable pin-'supporting.v

' platform at the receivingendfoffthe-upper runway so that the player may place-thepins and cause themto be'displacedvbythe rei turned ball'at one and the sameendofrthe alley. l Y u l n The main object is to provide-a self-service bowling alley of any desired lengthor width, standard orotherwise,r in which the pin-sup porting platform upony which y'the pins are placed'is arranged at the serving `end of the; outgoing runway,` and the served ball is autor' inatically returned to said lplatform Yfor dis-V placing the-stacked pins sothat theindividual player may servethe balls and pins from i one and the same standfwithout the aidof yother persons and thereby to'greatlyreduce f verse Ivertical sectional. views taken, respecv y f tivelyintthe planes of lnesB-B and 75? thecost,ofoperationiof the plays.

Qneof the specific objects lsgto'arrangeftlie return runway directlyl underthe .outgoing runwayfrom--end toiendth'ereof andto pro-j `vide suitable deflectorsat bothwends of both e runways whereby theiserved ballwill beede# y flected downwardly from the delivery end off the outgoing runwayyaided'by the weightV and momentum yof theball, onto 4and along the return runway and thence-'upwardly and forwardly by its momentum ontorthe pinsupportingplatform for displacing lthe pins'.l

' :Another obi ect is to providethe return runway with a powerfdriven limpeller arranged directly .under thejdeliveryrend "of r.the Aoutproximately the saine horizontal plane as the" outgoing runwaylwith theplayers stand' between'the receivingend of ,the 4runway and platform;

.iliipellerforithe returnf'runfway.

going runway ifor` increasingrthe:momentumofthe ballin its coursealong the return-run! way sulfi'cient tocarry it onto" and across the platform for displacing'the r and alsoto provide" the alley with j *"0* avpocket `or recess'located between the plat-` 1 formi-and players and belowlthe l *i fsurfacesethereof.,fori receiving the returned balls'and-y displaced pins soithatthe balls'and ypins maybeYconveniently':accessiblezto the y player on the stand for replaying and' repleteinstal ing respectively.' Y

cated directly over the pocket or 1recess to cause the? pins and .balls to drop intothe G0L-' pocket following each play.

Other objects and uses relating toy specific. parts ofthe alley willbefgbrought out in thev n following description, In'thedrawings service'bowling alley. embodying the various features of myinvention;v l"

Figure 2 is an" enlarged tical sectionallview of the?samealleyypartly broken awayytakenin the planey of line Figurelgjy. 4 f' i Figures 3 and 4 are rfurther enlarged Figurefl,` f q L. f l l Figure @5 is a perspective view similar to y.

Figure l, but considerably: shorterf,-f0e1"h0me use', andy having a slightly-modified formof f Figure Gs'is an' enlargedgl'v ngtudinal-y verf-fj ""1 ticalsectionalview Vthrough` the delivery endf of the'alley,y shown 'inFig'urie 51,illustratingl i more clearly the modified formiof ,impel'len I 'i As illustrated ,in Figures 14rtojl,.inclusivel` 35- this bowling alley:y comprises: r an, elongated';` rsubstantiallyrectangular,frame of box- 5 like construction adapted Ato be supported. ing;

agsubstantiallyz horizontal yplane upon any?,

suitable foundationV for recleiying and ,sup-k 1 90,

porting anupperoutgong runwayand Y a lowerlreturn runway-#ffunderlying the upper runway 2f-,in vertically spaced relaf tion thereto, to form. an intervening lpassage f for the balls upon theirlgreturn from the del-.1

livery lend ofVv the upper runway .;2-, in a manner presently'describedV Q 1 y Y The outgoing runway -"-2`-`isprovidedv `with a substantially h 'orizontaluppersurface-k 1 j and maybe of any standard dimensions corn-Iy 1,0417' Another ob] ect 1s to provide l l I ,the dlfsplacedpns and returned balls lo:

` Figurelisa perspective view of. a 'selff monly used in public alleys but obviously may be made of any suitable length or width,

. the opposite sides of the. frame lbeing extended slightly above the surface ef `the upper runway -2- to form parallel guard rails -4 along Y, the opposite longitudinal edges of the runway -2 to preventlateral displacement of the balls therefrom.

The frame -lis also provided with a,

players stand 5J-located at the serving end of the upper runway 2+ and having lits'upper surface disposed in about the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of said runway. .Y y

The players` stand -5- maybe provided at one side with steps -'6-'-' -leadingrfrom the lQor of the building in which-the alley is installed, to the'surface of the-platform which' may be extended any distancebeyond the .op-

horizontal plane as the upper surface of the stand -5- and runway -'2- forV supporting the pins as Y The portion of the frame -l+ between the `pin-supporting platform .Q7-and players'stand 5 is depressed below the upper surface thereof to form a pocket -9` for receiving displaced pins -a-andjreturned A 'stop bar lO- is mounted upon the frame 1- directlyover the medial portion of the pocket -9 in spaced relation-to the opposite end walls thereof to stop further progress of the ball and allow it to drop into the pocket .-Qe which also serves to receive the pins -af as theyare displaced from the platform -74 and at the same time permitting convenientaccess tothe returned balls and displaced pins Vfor repeatingy the play.

The distal end wall 114-` ofthe frame 1'- extends from the bottom of thefranie .upwardly across the adjacent ends ofthe vrunways -Q--and in spacedV relation thereto and yalso some distance above the level of the upper surface of the runway 601 weight and momentum of the ball.

-2-, and is provided on its inner side with a concave deflector .-12- extending around the adjacent end of the upper runway-2* for deflecting the ball downwardly onto the underlying return runway aided by the Owing to the fact that the momentum of jthe ball, after leaving the end of the runway -2-,` is somewhatretardedby Contact withthe delectorF-lQ-g and particularly when the ball ismoving more or less slowly along the runway, it may be necessary to provide-means for impelling the ball 'along the return runway with ksufficient force and sufliciently kgreater speed than that of the ball to carry it to the pin-supporting platform ,-7- for displacing the pins thereon and for this purpose Iy have shown a powerdriven impelling device consisting of an endless 'belt V--13--- mounted upon suitable drums -lllfand -l5* with its upper side disposed in a `horizontal plane underlying the delivery end of the upper runway -2- in sufficiently spaced relation thereto to allow the` ball topass freely through the intervening space, one of theV drums as -15- being operatively connected to an electric motor lil-.- er equivalent power device for moving the belt in the direction indicated by the arrows,-"Figure 2.

Theimpeller -l3- is relatively short from end to end as compared with the length of the provided with a plurality of, in this instance two outwardly projecting V-shaped shoulders m16- of less radial depth than the distance between the upper side of the belt and lower side of the delivery end ofthe upper runway -2- so as to travel freely through theV intervening space to serve as a means for positively driving the ball from the delivery end of the upper runway 2- into the stationary part of the lower runway -3-.

The belt -ll--,Y including its radial shoulders -l6-, may bemade of rubber or equivalent resilient material to reduce to a minimum the noise incidental to the impact of the ball'therewith vand also to reduce the liability ofslippage ofthe contacting surface between the ball andshoulders whencontacting one with the other. Y

f In some instances, however, the belt 13- may be replaced by a single drum ,-13'-, as shown in Figures?) and 6, arranged directly over the delivery end of the upper runway f2-fand provided with radial V-shaped shoulders-elesimilar to those previously described,for driving the delivery ball -b alongthe return runway -3-.

v, If necessary, the lower side of the delivery end of the upper runway -2- may be provided with a buffer 1T- of rubber or equivalent material to assistin preventing rebound ICQ of the ball upwardly when engaged by the impeller F13m-'or V-l3- and for more positively directingthe return ball onto-the stationarypart ofthe return runway -3 The proximal vend -l8- ofthe frame 1 extends Afrom the adjacent end of the .Y

lower runway Z5- uwardly some distance above the horizontal plane of the upper surface of the pin-supporting platform --7-- and is provided with a concaveinner deflecting service -l9- extending from the upper surface of the-adjacent end of the lower runway -3- around the adjacent endof and above the platform @7i-f. sufficiently f relation thereto to allowthe'freturnsballto pass freely` from :the lower-runway-, onto-the platformr-f Theinner end faceoftheupperlportiorr of thefvend wall 11;- overlying vthe delivery endsfof the'upper runway is substantiall llyniiat and'perpendioularzto thehorizontal f plane ofy said runway andfislfproyidedwith'a Vtoward the right handyfFigure 4; f ,y

the stand 5 for easyvisibility and indicate therelJ ativepositions of the pins .-wwhen the lat-4 series of, 'in this instance `ive,'targets -,-21`.-`-', shown more gclearlyfin .Figures I', 4 and `5, and

" consistingg-f in this instance; of the. letters These targets f ce the yplayerolu ter are properly 'placed 'luponthe platform -7`-,tlie center target indieatinglthe Y se position of tliecenter Vpin inthe apexofthe triangle whiley the targets ,-Agand-,Cf-

indicate the positions .of the outer walls between the apex and base of the triangle, theTk outer targets indicatingthe` outermost balls inthebase of the triangle. f1

, Under this target; systemtlie player directs theball along the runway1-.2--to a .pre-sey lected target in the samermanner as though more .clearly in lFigure 3,'said grooves being arrangedfin the vertical planes of ntheir correi553,

the targets Werepins,gand relies uponthe returning of the ball along thellower runway -3- to theV platform -K-f to Adisplace fthe,

pin'or pins corresponding` to the selected tarfget.-l

Y In order thatthe ball may be`returnedalong-kk .the Vertical plane lof the selected ytarget fthe lower runway -3- is yprovidedfwlth aserles of,' in this instance tive, 'longitudinally-:extendingl parallel grooves 2-22.-LA j as `shown sponding targets 21- so that if the.y ball reaching the delivery endk ofthe upper runway '2- is registeredwith any Vone' of the targets -21-, it l.will bereturned lalong the corresponding groove .-QQ- of :the flower plaeingthe correspondingpin or pins.

- Under these conditions .each` playdireoted to anyparticular targetgwill be as accuratel in displacing vthe corresponding pin or pins i as though the lpins lwere plaeedfin proper. relation upon .the distalxfend of the'outgoing. runway EZ-.- in the usualmannerf f i n in AFigure f2,thef upper surface'of thezlowerf runway *3Q-is f slightlyinclined downwardlyfrom its f'proxi# l VAs shownvinore cleafrl malxendxto-its distal" endy to allow any ball vwhieh'failed; to be returned to the platform y i to roll along the `inclined runway to ward the distal fend' thereof to be deposited 'l at. one -s'ide'toI permit theremoval oftheball -l f 'i for reluse if desi'r` d,'fwith out` in vanyfwayfinterfering V5 with: 'the ffree'. operation 1 of other u y ils vin a pocket@ 1.-'23-5 whichl slpreferablyf open balls* along l.both runways.

` Opmafm into ,the underlying propeller 'sectionllV-z-` saidpropeller :being ydri-ven witlizsufcient "speed to .propel the ball along the remaining 'portions of the lowerrunway --3'-,k and upf turned; 'deflector onto the platform for displacing ythe V,pins -aff therefrom, the further progressI offthe `ballfbeing` checked by theystopjfbarflOj-whioh causes itjtogdroph into thevpolcketgffQ-, the latter also serving toi receive'. the fdisplaoedfpins is, offeourse` obviousy that at the-begin? l ning of a play the player willdirect-the-ball toward `o nefor the other-5 'preferably-the center target `-`-B-., with the assuraneethatif propi', 1 The player on. the standx--5`-` rolls the ball p Y y alongthe upper runWayP-Qf-'to thefdStllv endthereof where it is deflected downwardly` 58o f or f-13,-. of the lower return runway ,-,-3-' .l l

sis(

a f erlY; dieetedf v'villbe returned bythe peller-lor -lfalongl the corresponda r and thenceonto the platform .-J- into en;- lgagement with the pin CorrespondingL tothe -g pre-selected target, thus completing thejplay,

which may be rep-e'atedjwith 1thesame1or other fballsfa'cording to;` the wishesv ofy the Y player. f'

, l hil'e yIlhave` sliownthe Aand 4133"-, Figures 2 and@ it is evidentthat 'i tliesefi'mpellers might be omittedand the stationary part of' the return 'runway y parts'of Vtlie'lower vrunway .-.3-y forV the reason thatfpthey vmight remain' stationary ias a desiredfprovidingthe ball is rolled along .the

upperrunway'with sufiicientf'speed tocause it to returnzalong the ylower runway tothe Y ja'pproxim'ale'ndoffthealley and ontofthey platform -e'-` for 'displacing'the pins +de@ Thisapparatus isfparti'cu'larly simple,l pra@ rtical yand:conv-:nient forself-service playing y' inth'atvthe played balls arleautomaticallyfref turned' Kto the l platform --47-"- in rclose prox-v imity `tof the ,playersstand-L'- and :that v the platform upon-whieh the pins areplaeedV isalso elosep'roximity to the players stanfLy thereby avoiding the necessity for tlieservices l Y '4 'l ofpiniboys or otherpersonsl if kVthatlclainriste'- -k In f ar. self-.service :bowling alleyyfan i outl l going runway for the ballpa return runway for said ball underlying the. outgoing runway, a platform at the proximal endof bothv runways for supportingl the pins, means at the distal end of the outgoing runway` for vde iecting the ball downwardlytherefrom,`

- placing the pins. i

2. In a self-servicebowling alley, an out- Y 'going runway for the ball, a return runway for lsaid ball underlying the outgoing runway, means for supporting the pins at proximal end of both runways, means for deiiect,

ing the ball downwardly from the distal end of the outgoing runway, means for projecting the ball along the lower runway, and means for deflecting theball upwardly from the proximal end ofthe return-runway Onto the pin-supporting means for displacing the pins. i

3. In a self-service bowling alley, an outd 1,899,441 .i i

gets corresponding to the particular pin which it isdesired to displace. f

6. In a bowling alley, an outgoing runway and an underlying return runway, means for dellecting the ballfrom the distal end of the upper runway onto the adjacent end of the lower runway, 4a pinfsupporting platform Y above the :proximal end of the lower runway and in a plane below the upper runway, and.

means for deiiecting the ball from the proximal end of the lower runway onto said platform for displacing the pins. f 7. A bowling alley having an upperoutgoing runway, a lower return runway, a pinsupporting patform at the proximal end :of

and in a plane below thelupper runway, and means for deiiecting the ball from the proximal end ofthe lower runway onto said platformA fordisplacing the pins.

In witnesswhereof I have hereunto set my handithisjth day (if-October, 1930. i AHENRY K. I-IESS.

going runway for-the ball, a returnrunway i for said ball underlyingthe outgoing runway, a pin-*supporting platformV at the proximal" end of both runways, means for deiecting v the ball downwardly from the distal end of the out ein runwa alonef the return run-` Y way, and means for projectingthe ball along` the return runway onto the pin-supporting platform for displacing the pins, and means between the platform and adjacent end of Vthe outgoing runway for preventing the passage of the returned ball and displaced pins onto said outgoing runway. l j Y l, In a self-service bowling alley, an out-- goingrunway for the ball, a return runway for said ball underlying the outgoing runway, a pin-supporting platform at the proxi`V mal end of both runways,`a ball-stop between the platform and adjacent end of the upper" runway, a ball and pin receptacle underlying the stop, an impeller underlyingthe'ldistal platform for displacingthe pins.

5. In a bowling alley, an outgoing run- I .wayand an underlying return runway', means for directing the ball from the distal endiof the outgoingrunway onto the adjacent endof the returnrunway, a pin supportingplat- Y i form at the proximal end of the outgoing runway, and a plurality of .targets arranged in horizontally spaced relation transversely ofV Y kthe bowling alley at theldistal end thereof in line with the pins on the platform, said targets. being visible to the player to enable said i player to direct the'ball along the upperrun way toward any one ofthe preselected tar- 

